A Champion's Garland

Catching the morning sun along the brick sidewalk of Old Louisville, a stately cast-iron hitching post shaped like a spirited horse caught my spotlight eye! Resting right across the stone mounting block below was a stray length of pleated crimson rosette ribbon. I trotted up the cool limestone step, gripped the textured iron ring dangling from the horse's muzzle with both paws, and hoisted myself up to eye level. Threading the bright red satin ribbon cleanly through the ring, I knotted it into a dazzling winner's bow that billowed in the breeze. I tapped my boots against the iron pedestal, snapped my brim, and gave the neighborhood our grandest post-parade salute!